SUSPECTED HERDSMEN KILL TWO SOLDIERS, INJURE FIVE OTHERS IN BENUE

Nigerian Soldiers

Two soldiers attached to the ongoing Operation Whirl Stroke have been killed by suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State.

The Deputy Force Commander of the operation, Group Captain Precious Amadi, confirmed this to Channels Television on Tuesday.

He also revealed that the suspects injured five other soldiers, including a captain who led the operation on Monday at Umenger branch in Guma Local Government Area of the state.

Group Captain Amadi made the disclosure when Governor Samuel Ortom, visited the injured soldiers at Nigerian Air Force Hospital, Makurdi in the state capital.

Governor Ortom, on his part, condemned the incident and directed that the bills for the treatment of the troops and all other patients at the hospital be sent to him for payment.

He also used the opportunity to echo his call on security agencies to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah in the state.

The governor noted that failure to do so, the country would continue to be at risk even with its security assets.

The Defence Headquarters had launched Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue, as well as Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara in May to counter armed herdsmen and militia groups operating within the region.

However, the incident occurred barely two days after suspected herdsmen invaded some villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing scores of people in the process.

President Muhammadu Buhari had condemned the attack when he visited Plateau on Tuesday and directed the security chiefs to be vigilant and ensure the lives and property of the people were protected.

He had also appealed to Nigerians to avoid inflammatory utterances that can endanger peace or promote conflicts, referring to the security situation in Benue.

“The Benue subsistence farmer knows that the Nigerian cattle herder that he knows doesn’t carry nothing more than a stick, occasionally sometimes something to cut grass to feed his cattle,” the President had said.

“But the present herder, I am told, carries AK47 and people are even blaming me for not talking to them because maybe (they say) I look like one of them. There is some injustice in these aspersions,” he added.

Credit: Channels Television

NIGERIA'S SUPER EAGLES OUT OF WORLD CUPS, ARGENTINA PROGRESS

Argentina’s forward Lionel Messi (C) and Nigeria’s midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo vie for the ball.
Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

Nigeria are out of the World Cup after failing to overcome Argentina in their Group D clash at the St Petersburg Stadium.

Nigeria needed a win or a draw to progress, and came into the game with three points against Argentina’s one.

Victory would have guaranteed progress regardless of the outcome of Iceland’s clash with Croatia.

A draw for the Eagles meant they needed Croatia to defeat Iceland or earn a draw.

Although the game started with Argentina on the front foot, the Eagles grew in the game and were able to carve out a lot of chances.

Lionel Messi had put his side ahead in the first half, but Nigeria levelled scores in the 51’st minute. Progress was within sight for Nigeria but an 86th-minute strike by Marcos Rojo denied them progress.

Early pressure and possession form the Argentines paid off in the 14th minute when Messi latched onto an Ever Banega ball upfield and gave Sampaoli’s men the lead.

Nigeria were rattled but reacted well and grew in the game.

The Super Eagles felt hard done after the referee refused to award them a penalty for Marcos Rojo’s challenge on Kelechi Iheanacho in the 45th minute.

Four minutes into the second half Nigeria got some reprieve when Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir pointed to the spot after Javier Mascherano tangled with Oghenekaro Etebo at a corner.

Moses confidently stepped up to send Franco Armani the wrong way on his international debut and put Nigeria on course for progress.

Despite giving Argentina the lead, Nigeria were able to deny him the opportunity to influence proceeded as he does brilliantly for Barcelona.

There was further VAR controversy when Nigeria were denied a second penalty when Rojo headed onto his own arm before substitute Odion Ighalo fired wide. Many Nigerians fans would rue Ighalo’s miss.

Ighalo was not done, however, as he missed another glorious chance when he shot too close to Armani and Nigeria were made to pay for their profligacy from the most unlikely source.

Sergio Aguero had been thrown on from the bench to join Messi and Higuain in attack, but it was Rojo who produced a striker’s finish on his weaker right foot to spark delirious scenes of celebration among the tens of thousands of Argentines in the stands.

Although the Super Eagles are out, they put up a fight and matched Argentina for shots and chances.

They had a total of eight shots (three on targets and five off target), compared to Argentina’s seven shots (four on target and three off target).
Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

PLATEAU KILLINGS: HANDLE MIYETTI ALLAH SAME WAY AS IPOB – NIGERIANS URGE BUHARI

President Muhammadu Buhari

Nigerians on Social media have called for the arrest of Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Danladi Ciroma, for claiming that the Sunday attack on Plateau State villagers was in retaliation to the death of their cows.

News reports have it that the Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Danladi Ciroma, on Monday claimed that the killing of 86 persons in Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area l of Plateau State was in retaliation to the killing of over 300 cows in the last few weeks by the villagers.

He was quoted as saying “These attacks are retaliatory. As much as I don’t support the killing of human being, the truth must be told that those who carried out the attacks must be on a revenge mission.

“There have been recent reports of cow rustling and destruction of farms between Berom farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The people carrying out these criminal activities are well known to the communities but the communities are hiding them.”

Reacting to the statement, Nigerians on social media called for justice on Miyetti Allah for the killings.

They asked that Buhari should declare them terrorists, wondering why the killers of innocent Nigerians were still walking freely.

Here are some comments from Twitter:

@Ogbenidipo “Miyetti Allah proudly defends the killing of over 300 people and nothing will happen to the group. IPOB did NOT go about killing people and setting villages ablaze but the group was proscribed and labelled a terrorist group. Bloody double standards and demonic hypocrisy.”

@Ody4real “I mean, IPOB didn’t kill a single person, yet Government treated them like Terrorists, killed innocent people and locked the South East down for a long time, but Miyetti Allah are openly admitting committing Mass Murder and that is about that.”

@Xantaplus “Dear @Mbuhari, Danladi Ciroma, the Chairman, North Central zone of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has taken responsibility for Plateau killings. He said it was a revenge for 300 cows stolen or killed in the last few weeks. What will you do?

@Segalink “Miyetti Allah like SARS will kill you and nothing will happen because they are above the law as empowered by the powers that be. I wonder how many people they asked who they support on Twitter before cutting their lives short. Let self-genocidal defenders take note.”

@Uncle Ajala “Miyetti Allah says Plateau mass murder is revenge for stealing 300 cows from herdsmen. IPOB that didn’t kill 10 people are terrorist group to Buhari’s FG, Fulani herdsmen that av killed over 500 people, & not denying it are not terrorist to Buhari’s FG. I hope you can see the hypocrisy.”

@Chreze “Miyetti Allah claimed responsible for killing almost 100 persons and till now no arrest has been made!
This is total madness!

@Goonvich “So what does it take for this Miyetti Allah guys to be declared terrorists?

@Leonardduggh “Declare Miyetti Allah as a terrorist group and treat them as terrorists. The same way IPOB were treated.

Remember, IPOB never attacked and killed innocent civilians while they sleep but were labeled terrorists.”

@Agorasblog “Why has the Army, police, and DSS refused to act against terrorist Miyetti Allah? Buhari & his Fulani people will NOT rule Nigeria forever. There will be a day of reckoning.Those who abandoned their duties will be jailed. ”

@Ayshatou “Shocked and disgusted by the barbaric killing of innocent lives in Jos how many more atrocities will it take before @MBuhari handle Miyetti Allah same way he handled IPOB.”

DESPERATE POLITICIANS BEHIND KILLINGS IN PLATEAU- PRESIDENT BUHARI

President M. Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, June 25, decried how desperate politicians have increasingly cheapened human life in their quest to establish a reign of instability and chaos in the country for political gains. President Buhari, who was reacting to recent clashes in Plateau, which left scores dead, said in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, that those behind the killings hoped that it would give them an advantage in the coming elections.

He said: “We know that a number of geographical and economic factors are contributing to the longstanding herdsmen/farmers clashes. But we also know that politicians are taking advantage of the situation. This is incredibly unfortunate. “Nigerians affected by the herdsmen/ farmer clashes must always allow the due process of the law to take its course rather than taking matters into their own hands." 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidency quoted security information which indicated that about one hundred cattle were rustled by a community in Plateau state, and some herdsmen were killed in the process.

The report also revealed that the state governor, Simon Lalong, had invited thepp aggrieved groups and pleaded against further action while the law enforcement agents looked into the matter. Less than 24 hours later, violence broke out. It further stated that some local thugs then took advantage of the situation, turning it into an opportunity to extort the public, and to attack people from rival political parties.

“There were reports of vehicles being stopped along the roads in the state, with people being dragged out of their cars and attacked if they stated that they supported certain politicians or political party. “On his way back to Jos after attending the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention in Abuja, the state governor had to dismantle a number of illegal road blocks set up by these thugs. There were also a number of dead bodies thugs had killed, lying along the road," the report added.

The police command in Plateau had on Sunday confirmed the killing of 86 people in attacks on Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi local government area of the state. The command had earlier said that only 11 persons were killed. ASP Terna Tyopev, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) confirmed the new figure to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos. 

The Plateau government had since announced a dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas to check further breakdown of law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, report has it that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) gave reasons why herdsmen attacked mourners in Plateau state, killing over 120 people and causing serious injuries to hundreds others. 

NIGERIANS BERATES FED GOVT, SECURITY AGENCIES OVER FRESH MINDLESS KILLINGS IN PLATEAU

Some torched houses and cars

Some of the houses and vehicles razed down during the recent Plateau massacre. Photo Credit: Google

NIGERIANS are blaming the federal government as well as the country’s security agencies for the fresh killings that took place in Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau State between Saturday and Sunday.

According to the Nigeria Police Force, 86 persons have been confirmed killed in the attacks and over 50 houses torched. However, residents of the area and survivors of the attack say more than 120 persons were killed.

Reports say suspected herdsmen attacked a village during a burial event and started killing people and burning houses.

“Fulani people attacked our members who attended the burial of the father to one of our clergy Baba Jakawa, at Gidin Akwati, Gashis district. Late Jakawa was aged over 80 years, a committed member of COCIN, so his burial attracted many sympathisers,” Pam Chollom, Pastor in charge of Church of Christ In Nations (COCIN) told journalists on Saturday.

“The armed Fulanis ambushed the sympathisers on their way back from the burial, attacked and killed 34 persons from Nekan village, 39 others from Kufang, and 47 people from Ruku village. As we speak with you, many others are still missing in the bushes.”

Many who reacted to development on tweeter said this is one killing too many, and urged the federal government to match their words with actions and stop the incessant killings across many states of the country.

Some others wondered what might have led to the killings since there is no anti-open grazing law in Plateau State. Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Defence, had attributed the killings by herdsmen in Benue State to the enforcement of the anti-open grazing bill.

Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the fresh killings, vowing not to rest “until all murderers and criminal elements and their sponsors are incapacitated and brought to justice”.

In 2018 alone, there have been mass killings in Benue, Rivers, Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna and Plateau States; some o f the states have witnessed mass killings more than once.

These do not include the killings by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East region.

Yet, the Buhari administration consistently claim that it has delivered on its promise to significantly improve security in Nigeria, which is one out of its three cardinal policies.

But many Nigerians disagree. Read some of the reactions below:

REAL REASONS WHY OTHER CHAIRMANSHIP ASPIRANTS STEPPED DOWN FOR ME – OSHIOMHOLE

Adams Oshiomhole
APC National Chairman

The new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has insisted that the other candidates withdrew themselves “unconditionally”.

Oshiomhole stated this at the party’s National Convention on Saturday in Abuja.

The former Edo Governor claimed that he emerged unopposed because of the trust his other colleagues had for him.

Oshiomhole was unopposed after a voice affirmation by party members.

“Few days before today, all the other candidates, one after the other decided individually, on their own to withdraw unconditionally. So to God be the glory,” he said.

“When people trust you, then half of the job is done. When you are free to initiate ideas, you are able to mediate with your internal differences so that the people know that you are their own and that you are not working against them, there will be no suspicion about who you have to use or the person you settle for.

“Number two is that we have to promise the world a people democracy. We give members the voice by ensuring that party members and everybody discuss issues and at the national level, we need to challenge the political elites and the business elites to discuss issues of the economy.”

BREAKING: ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE EMERGES APC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has been confirmed as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adams Oshiomhole reportedly returned unopposed after a voice affirmation by party members. Chairman of the 2018 convention committee and governor of Jigawa State, Mohammed Badaru, who made the announcement, stated that 18 positions were unopposed, and all were affirmed on Saturday.

Mr. Oshiomole is to replace the outgoing chairman of the party, John Oyegun, who also hails from Edo State. Mr. Oyegun, alongside Oserhermen Osunbor, Clement Ebri, and Ibrahim Emokpaire, were initially in the race but eventually stepped down for Mr. Oshiomhole.

Premium Times reported that in his speech Saturday, Mr Oyegun wished Mr Oshiomhole well as he takes over the reins of the party’s leadership.

Some of the names of those unopposed are:

1. Adams Oshiomhole … National Chairman

2. Ibrahim Masari … National Welfare Secretary

3. Tunde Bello…National Financial Secretary

4. Misbahu L Didi….Representative of the physically challenged

5. Zakari Mohammed….Zonal secretary north central

6. Ibrahim Abdullahi

The much awaited affirmation of the preferred candidate for the position of National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress held on SATURDAY did not come out easy at all.
There were lots of horse trading...

However, the chairman of the APC National Convention Planning Committee, Abubakar Badaru, who presided over the convention, announced that Adams Oshiomhole was the only person contesting the position of national chairman.

He said, “Adams Oshiomhole has been returned unopposed for the position of national chairman, there will be no election. So, I will ask you if you affirm him as chairman, you answer ‘affirm’ or say  ‘aye’ when I ask for affirmation.”

Badaru then asked the delegates if they would affirm Oshiomhole as the party’s national chairman and they all chorused “affirmed.” He then announced the former Edo State Governor as returned unopposed.

None of Oshiomhole’s former opponents was sighted near the stage when Badaru made the announcement.

Three persons namely: Prof. Osareimen Osunbor, Clement Ebri and Ibrahim Emokpai, who earlier expressed interest in contesting against Oshiomhole, pulled out of the race before the convention.

AMAECHI FINALLY EXPOSE THOSE WHO BETRAYED IPOB / BIAFRA

Mbazulike Amaechi

A first Republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi has accused Igbo leaders of betraying the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other pro-Biafra agitators.

In an interview with Vanguard, Amaechi said IPOB members were made to look like law breakers.

“Any aggrieved person, group or organisation has the right to engage in agitations for better condition. There is no law that says that when you are maltreated, you should not complain against or to the person maltreating you. But in the case of IPOB, the Igbo leaders who should have directed them on the best way to follow betrayed them.

“Igbo leaders must not support the IPOB, but at the same time, they should not have betrayed them. If you are my leader and I am doing something you do not support, you should not sell me out or betray me the way Igbo leaders betrayed IPOB and other pro-Biafra groups.

“Personally, I believe in one great country which we fought for its creation and independence, with other notable and patriotic Nigerians who do not have the divisive minds like the present leaders of the country have in today’s Nigeria.

“I am very sad that the country I and other nationalists fought very hard for its creation and independence has been betrayed and my side of the people treated as slaves in their country. It is very annoying and saddening.

“Young men have the right to agitate but their leaders have betrayed them. If their leaders do not support them, they should not sell them out or betray them like they have done to IPOB which has been roundly betrayed by Igbo leaders who should guide them.

“IPOB is not a terrorist organisation and they are neither armed nor involved in any kind of violence. MASSOB has been there over the years doing their thing without violence, yet Nigerian government has been after them, but in the North, people are being killed, houses burnt and communities sacked by herdsmen, yet they have not been declared a terrorist group. It is IPOB they declared as a terrorist group.

“When a people as part of a union say they are not happy with the union like the Biafra agitators are doing and embark on protest against the union, the people should be allowed to decide their faith whether to belong or not, it was done in Great Britain,” he said.

CATHOLIC BISHOP ADMONISH PRESIDENT BUHARI TO NEGOTIATE WITH LOOTERS

Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah

The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has advised the federal government of Nigeria to change its tactics in the anti-corruption fight against looters.

Bishop Kukah said the government should negotiate with looters of the nation’s treasury in order to recover stolen funds.

The cleric made this known while speaking at the 29th and 30th Convocation lecture of the University of Jos on Friday.

Bishop Kukah explained that some countries had negotiated with corrupt officials to recover stolen funds and it worked for them, hence calling on Nigerian government to adopt the same tactic.

According to Bishop Kukah, “Fighting corruption as a whole is beyond just recovering stolen funds, although it is necessary to punish treasury looters and corrupt officials, to solve the whole problem would involve tackling it from the roots and that means the institutional framework.

The catholic Bishop went farther to opine that the Federal Government lead by President Buhari should direct relevant agencies to “Investigate what they have stolen, then call them and negotiate how much of it can be recovered, while you put frameworks in place to holistically solve the problem.

“Corruption is not only a Nigerian thing. Former presidents of nations like America, France, Israel, South Africa, among others, have been removed due to corruption charges. Yet, their countries are working”, he added.

WHY PRESIDENT BUHARI REINSTATED PERMANENT SECRETARIES SUSPENDED IN 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the reinstatement of three permanent secretaries, who had been under suspension since 2015.

Lawrence Ojabo, Director Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, on Friday said the President gave the directive while considering recommendations of the Federal Service Management Committee and that of the SGF.

He explained that the president ordered that the appointments of the permanent secretaries, who have been without posting since November 2015, should not be terminated in view of the fact that allegations against them could not be proven.

“The Presidential clean bill for the top civil servants is a further demonstration of the Federal Government’s determination to ensure that no government employee is unduly victimized on account of frivolous allegations and petitions,” he said.

The permanent secretaries are Mrs, Ibukun Abimbola Odusote, Mrs. Nkechi Ejele and Mrs. Fatima Binta Bamidele.

Bamidele, was in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs while Ejele and Odusote were in the Ministry of Culture and National Orientation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, respectively.

The officials were suspended in November, 2015 and investigated for alleged misconduct.

However, Bamidele recently retired from the service upon the attainment of the mandatory age of 60 years.